MyReporter answers question about police helicopter

Tuesday

Mar 26, 2013 at 9:21 AM

Q: Did the Wilmington Police Department purchase a new helicopter, in addition to the two that they already had?

Q: Did the Wilmington Police Department purchase a new helicopter, in addition to the two that they already had? A: The Wilmington Police Department, which operates the SABLE helicopter program in conjunction with other local law enforcement agencies, recently acquired a new helicopter to replace a retiring one.Lucy Crockett, a police spokeswoman, said the new aircraft is a U.S. military surplus helicopter given to North Carolina for use by a law enforcement agency. The only costs incurred by the SABLE program, which is funded through a multi-agency partnership, involved the inspections and stripping equipment out of the old helicopter and installing it in the new one.The SABLE program includes two helicopters – SABLE I and SABLE II.The new military surplus helicopter will replace SABLE I, meaning the program will still fly only two helicopters."The new aircraft has had significantly less usage and is in much better condition than the current SABLE I," Crockett said. "Before the SABLE program acquired it, it already had been refurbished with about $130,000 worth of new equipment and repairs."The current SABLE I is slated to be returned to the state, Crockett said.

– Brian Freskos

Q: Were any men arrested in the prostitution scandal? Was a certain business investigated? A: No men were arrested during last year's prostitution sting that set off a scandal within the Wilmington Police Department, said police spokeswoman Lucy Crockett.Police have not disclosed details about which escort services had been the target of the sting, and Crockett again declined to release such information on Tuesday, citing an ongoing State Bureau of Investigation probe.Several officers fell into hot water following the sting on March 2011, in which now former members of the Narcotics Enforcement Unit reportedly violated departmental guidelines for documenting cash expenditures and drinking alcohol.Two weeks ago, local top law enforcement officials requested an independent investigation by the SBI to ensure the officers did not break any laws during the sting.